As a company we regard the skills and hard work of EU nationals as a great addition to the UK and hope their rights are safeguarded through Brexit negotiations and beyond.

The negotiations between the EU and British Government have begun but are in the very early stages and it is going to be a long and rocky road before any final agreement is reached on a whole range of subjects.

Here at CLCA we are particularly concerned about the rights of EU workers in these talks and what position they will find themselves in when the dust settles and the deal is done.

We have many EU nationals working at CLCA and their contribution to various parts of our organisation is invaluable and helped us succeed to the position we find ourselves in today, able to provide the best possible care for our clients.

It is important their rights are looked after in the negotiations but we are worried about the rhetoric coming from both the EU and UK as talks get under way and we fear some final compromise will be arrived at leaving EU nationals working in this country in a weaker position than they are now.

The Government has already gone on record as saying they have made a fair and serious offer to guarantee the rights of EU nationals and that it is keen to give those workers the certainty and reassurance they are so desperately looking for.

But despite the claims from the UK that there was much common ground in round one of the talks, the EU have viewed things slightly differently and said the Government’s proposals do not go far enough and are concerned that should the UK get its way with what it plans, EU nationals would lose out on a number of rights.

Clearly, the art of diplomacy and coming to an end deal requires much negotiation and compromise. Our fear is that any final deal will be, in effect, a watered down version of what these workers have now and we say that is not acceptable.

The EU appears to be negotiating from a position of strength and has said the issue of workers’ rights is the top priority, so we will see what happens. There are currently estimated to be 1.2million UK workers working in the EU and 3.5million EU workers working in the UK.

It is very important for both groups to get the reassurance and security they need in order for them to continue bringing their much-needed skills-set to whatever role they are employed in and, ultimately, adding to the economy of the country where they live.

We need to see a decision reached and a deal struck which satisfactorily guarantees the rights and conditions currently enjoyed by these workers. We desperately hope none of them end up on Brexit day having been short-changed and cheated.